A Holy Temple in the Lord
You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:19-21
One afternoon when Jesus was alone with His disciples, He made one of His greatest promises: "I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18). Using that same metaphor, the apostle Paul described the building materials Jesus was using, and they weren't physical stones and boards. Rather, Paul declared that Jesus church was being built of saints, of holy ones who were "members of the household of God."
This remarkable truth has great consequences. The apostle Paul taught that any person regardless of age, race, sex, wealth, or power could enter the household of God. That was radical in Paul's day, and still is today. Jesus planned for His church to be a place on earth absolutely free of discrimination. Every individual who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior is immediately brought fully into the family of God and recognized as a saint, a fellow citizen of the household of God.
Imagine this fabulous picture: the family of God, you and me and our fellow brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus are the building materials. Jesus is the chief Cornerstone, and it is His decision where to place each Christian in position so that each piece fits into it's place in the building. The family of believers thus becomes a holy temple in the Lord and able to change the world.
Prayer : Dear Lord, You are the Chief Builder; I am a living stone. Place me in Your community where You see fit, where I can best serve You, Your people, and the lost in this world. Amen.
One afternoon when Jesus was alone with His disciples, He made one of His greatest promises: "I will build My church" (Matthew 16:18). Using that same metaphor, the apostle Paul described the building materials Jesus was using, and they weren't physical stones and boards. Rather, Paul declared that Jesus church was being built of saints, of holy ones who were "members of the household of God."
This remarkable truth has great consequences. The apostle Paul taught that any person regardless of age, race, sex, wealth, or power could enter the household of God. That was radical in Paul's day, and still is today. Jesus planned for His church to be a place on earth absolutely free of discrimination. Every individual who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior is immediately brought fully into the family of God and recognized as a saint, a fellow citizen of the household of God.
Imagine this fabulous picture: the family of God, you and me and our fellow brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus are the building materials. Jesus is the chief Cornerstone, and it is His decision where to place each Christian in position so that each piece fits into it's place in the building. The family of believers thus becomes a holy temple in the Lord and able to change the world.
Prayer : Dear Lord, You are the Chief Builder; I am a living stone. Place me in Your community where You see fit, where I can best serve You, Your people, and the lost in this world. Amen.
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